Moore spoils the party for ’Bows

The senior right-hander from Roy, Utah, silenced a season-high crowd of 2,917 by tossing a three-hit shutout as the Wolverines ended Hawaii's regular season with a 2-0 loss last night at Les Murakami Stadium.

Moore baffled the Rainbows over nine innings, walking five and striking out four while throwing 144 pitches to earn his 10th victory of the year.

"That's actually a little bit lower than normal," Moore said of his pitch count. "I was starting to get worn down a little, but I had a really good defense behind me."

Two of Moore's five walks came in the ninth inning as Hawaii tried to mount a rally. Moore put Brandon Haislet and Alex Myers on base with one out in the ninth, but came back to strike out Vinnie Catricala for the second out. Jeff Van Doornum pinch-hit in the designated hitter spot for Ryan Asato, and worked the count full before striking out to end the game.

"I felt my slider was getting good toward the end; I just wasn't getting the call on the outside corner," Moore said. "I just stuck with it and got those guys swinging at the last two."

The Wolverines (17-46-1) took two of three games against the 'Bows to hand Hawaii (27-29) its first series loss since March.

RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii's senior baseball players acknowledged the crowd last night at their last home game.

Despite that, Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso says his team will be ready for the WAC tournament next week.

"This group will be ready to play on Thursday guarantee," Trapasso said. "I don't know who's pitching. I don't know what our staff is going to look like, but I don't care and they don't care because they are going to give their best effort."

All five senior position players started for Hawaii and combined to go 2-for-16. Senior Jon Hee, whose 213 hits are the second most in the Trapasso era, went 0-for-4 to snap his 10-game hitting streak, but didn't let it affect his emotions after playing the final home game of his five-year career.

"It's kind of sad," Hee said. "Playing in front of such a good crowd and the kids, I'm definitely going to miss it. They support us so much."

Rainbows starter Matt Daly lasted into the sixth inning before leaving with one out and the bases loaded after walking his seventh batter of the game. Cory Kahn came on in relief and got a ground ball to second by Tyler Garretson, who just beat out the throw to first on a double-play attempt to allow Scott Croshaw to score and give Utah Valley a two-run lead.

The Rainbows will head to Ruston, La., to prepare for next week's WAC tournament as either a second or third seed, depending on the outcome of today's game between San Jose State and Nevada. A Spartans victory would leave the Wolf Pack in a tie for second place with the 'Bows, who own the head-to-head tiebreaker and would receive the higher seed.

Fresno State clinched its third straight WAC regular-season championship with a doubleheader split at Sacramento State.

RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Teammates congratulated senior Jon Hee after last night's game against Utah Valley, his last at Les Murakami Stadium.